("The Study of Truth")8964 copyright protection492PENANAFpCZT9sk1q 維尼
It was cold but the cold was refreshing to Conner's inflamed skin. It was always like this when he made a crossover while in a heavily glamoured human form. 8964 copyright protection492PENANA4YRB4mtbxv 維尼
He was not actually human. But for the sake of the argument, he was now. Plus, Garrett, his elder brother, was always saying things like 'immersion fosters the ability to live like one you were immersed around' or something like that.8964 copyright protection492PENANAamcbZZ8sv7 維尼
Garrett always said things like that. Evangeline would comment (well, if she was currently alive, anyway) something along the lines of 'dammit, pay attention, Conner!'.8964 copyright protection492PENANAcTZ5sG69xX 維尼
Someone was almost always chiding him for his severely limited attention span.8964 copyright protection492PENANAsp7B0UB6sH 維尼
Let's just say that he made a toddler human with severe ADHD look focused.8964 copyright protection492PENANAy530EatQ7B 維尼
Conner knew why they did it though. He didn't necessarily like it, but he could understand why it was necessary. It was because they wanted him to actually notice his surroundings and discreetly make his way through them.8964 copyright protection492PENANAgKjckpgQQg 維尼
It helped when he was in his current form, his currently annoyingly human form. He liked how it was easier to enjoy the present and the world around him, but alas... he did not like how weak it made him, or how boring he thought it made him.8964 copyright protection492PENANArRhp3SA9Kw 維尼
But whatever. It's not like he wasn't the one to decide to live as mortal for a while.8964 copyright protection492PENANA7nZNnJFzdM 維尼
Garrett had been the one to suggest it, but ultimately it had been Conner's decision.8964 copyright protection492PENANAjyuAhGuVne 維尼
But, anyway, currently he had made his way into an office.8964 copyright protection492PENANAkmD28rmV4N 維尼
By the mortals dressed around him, he could guess that it was sometime in the late nineteen thirties or early nineteen forties. A woman had greeted him at the main desk and gave him papers to sign.8964 copyright protection492PENANA4gRCt2Q9iC 維尼
He didn't have an identity here, nor any birth records that gave him one. All he had was his name, which had started out completely different and in his native tongue, but which he had changed some time ago to make it easier for mortals to pronounce.8964 copyright protection492PENANAGSEOpNUzrF 維尼
Barely any of his siblings had kept their original names.8964 copyright protection492PENANApSrZNqZV5f 維尼
The woman had smiled brightly at him and had seemed somewhat concerned with how red his skin looked at the moment. He had smiled back and made an excuse about a sunburn or something like that. She had nodded and accepted his excuse- but then again, it was really the only reasonable thing he could respond with.8964 copyright protection492PENANADvgSQ1gIN3 維尼
' "Just sign these papers and we'll call you up when they're ready for you!" she smiled and he had nodded and taken a seat in the crowded waiting room.8964 copyright protection492PENANASFNuDUuMYQ 維尼
No one had even blinked at him when he sat down.8964 copyright protection492PENANAxgJ27TlNu0 維尼
His glamour must be good, he concluded. That was good, since he had never held a glamour this long before. It had been almost a century since he donned it.8964 copyright protection492PENANAzyyI9QBQ26 維尼
The linoleum tiles sparkled beneath his booted feet. A shadowy reflection showed a man of reasonable height with a average body type.8964 copyright protection492PENANAhVswO5NqSu 維尼
He was dressed strangely for this time, but none of the people around him took notice, too immersed with anxiety, nerves, or their own daydreams. Conner was dressed in a worn pair of jeans and a plain cotton t-shirt, not many people were dressed like he was in the office, with maybe one other man wearing denim.8964 copyright protection492PENANAfutI5bV3ru 維尼
Most of the people around him were men, maybe two women in the waiting room beside the woman who had greeted him at the front desk. They were dressed smartly, plain clothes for the most part that had probably at least once been mended- but that was probably just a part of the times.8964 copyright protection492PENANA0Rtv3TYx6t 維尼
He filled out the paperwork quickly, reading the terms and answering the questionnaire as honestly as he could. Place of residence? He answered vaguely, rattling off one of his cousins houses that she kept in the area. Age? He figured he looked to be about twenty two or three. Date of Birth? He laughed.8964 copyright protection492PENANATJgugyTKJq 維尼
He was old-older than most worlds anyway and when you were that old, let's just say you didn't celebrate all your birthdays.8964 copyright protection492PENANABsZsuF7jTG 維尼
He had been born in spring he thought. He rattled off the date of equinox, March twentieth give or take a day.8964 copyright protection492PENANAikptUeiZQo 維尼
A few minutes later his name was called and he handed the clipboard back to the woman at the front and she guided him into another room, a doctor's office where he would get a 'check-up'. Conner snickered to himself while he waited again. The odds he would be too 'sick' to sign up would be very low to say the least.8964 copyright protection492PENANAiOFBeleq5h 維尼
He couldn't even remember the last time he got sick.8964 copyright protection492PENANABcObUgdRtR 維尼
After making so many crossovers into so many different worlds and time periods he had managed to develop an immunity to almost everything.8964 copyright protection492PENANA2Tv7k9zqoG 維尼
Including most forms of plague. Looking at you, Black Death!8964 copyright protection492PENANADPL9tDBcjh 維尼
The only illnesses he could actually pick up were witch-born ones, but those were few and far between, what with the tendencies to lead to witch hunts. Nasty little things those plagues were.8964 copyright protection492PENANAC2aHvq4b98 維尼
But he hadn't managed to catch one of those in at least a thousand or so years.8964 copyright protection492PENANAWgMiDzIq3w 維尼
The door to the room slid open and a man in a white lab coat made his way in.8964 copyright protection492PENANAQHoLKfIhmm 維尼
He was human (not that it was surprising) and was somewhere in his early thirties. His hair was light brown and cut short while his eyes were a dark mossy green.8964 copyright protection492PENANAKmWjGJW64h 維尼
Dr. Thomas Greene his nametag read.8964 copyright protection492PENANAMgNGFNhexV 維尼
Dr. Greene was pale, like he had never visited, certainly not lived, near the equator. He kept clicking his pen, about eleven times per minute. He made 'mhmm' sounds as he read over Conner's papers, flipping through them several times before he even looked directly up at Conner.8964 copyright protection492PENANAeWTHuY2qUq 維尼
He frowned when he looked at him, his brows furrowing.8964 copyright protection492PENANA2zW3i8RxHM 維尼
"You're Conner Hadrian Durard? Do you know Sara Durard, then? She came in earlier today with her son."8964 copyright protection492PENANA6vT1VCFrV6 維尼
Conner nodded, "She's a cousin."8964 copyright protection492PENANAGsBjpEzPuU 維尼
Who he hadn't seen or talked to for at least sixty years, but that was normal.8964 copyright protection492PENANAyty85BaExt 維尼
Dr. Greene nodded and went back to skimming the papers.8964 copyright protection492PENANA6Br9UDTuaP 維尼
A couple minutes later he looked up and scanned him again and nodded.8964 copyright protection492PENANAOgDxIgefdX 維尼
"Alright, can you list any previous illnesses?"8964 copyright protection492PENANA8GcARPbO1l 維尼
Fuck.8964 copyright protection492PENANApCPZEo4ik5 維尼
He hadn't the faintest clue what illnesses were a thing in this world.8964 copyright protection492PENANALdjZ93WiHn 維尼
"The flu?"8964 copyright protection492PENANASIuQUiDDrm 維尼
"Which flu?"8964 copyright protection492PENANA5BjV7CkYnH 維尼
"Uh, this year's flu?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAoGUFiggszl 維尼
Dr. Greene narrowed his eyes on Conner like Evangeline did when she caught him not paying attention. For a second Conner thought that he would call him on his clear lie, maybe even confess that he knew that Conner was immortal. He kinda wished the doctor would, it would be a hell of alot easier if he did.8964 copyright protection492PENANANfEGTWxKXn 維尼
The doctor looked back down and went back to making 'mhmm' sounds.8964 copyright protection492PENANAx0wsziFqrt 維尼
When all was said and done, he ended up doing a physical on Conner, unnerving the immortal with his constant poking and prodding. Within twenty minutes they were done and the doctor had given his stamp of approval and pushed him further along the line to recruitment which seeing as how the country was at war (or so he had been told after one awkward conversation later) he had been accepted quickly and quietly.8964 copyright protection492PENANAfBt29JMhI5 維尼
In his defence, not every world had been subject to World War Two, just most of them.8964 copyright protection492PENANA5mDmY3f9pQ 維尼
See, there were certain events that were almost always written deeply into the fabric of existence, and World War Two was one of them along with the Hundred Years War or the French Revolution or for some odd reason, the Great Emu War.8964 copyright protection492PENANAoxHnU2825r 維尼
(He had never managed to figure the latter out, though.)8964 copyright protection492PENANAiASNc62sv9 維尼
But back to the subject, events like those were repeated countlessly in countless worlds, leading most of the humanities across existence to a remarkably similar path. Of course, some of the players changed depending on how prior events had played out.8964 copyright protection492PENANAFl9Wk5KDa7 維尼
For example if Napoleon had actually managed to conquer Russia, or later, if Hitler had managed to conquer the Soviet Union or if the Soviet Union had replaced Germany in WW2 on the Axis team. Changes like those had of way of sending out repercussions.8964 copyright protection492PENANAzoz5vLDBs7 維尼
And he had no idea just where he had landed on the 'Oh shit what's happening? Where am I?' meter. Probably high up, he supposed.8964 copyright protection492PENANAv0umCabeUy 維尼
He ghosted through the rest of the line, lost in thought and absently muttering to himself (garnering quite a few strange looks when people did notice him if at all). He was given a uniform that would fit him while he was under a glamour (but would certainly not when he went without it). He ended up back in a line for... hell, something.8964 copyright protection492PENANATvOKtPYrfg 維尼
A man was standing in front of him. He was around six feet two inches tall and smelled distinctly human. His auburn brown hair was cut close to his head on the sides but the top fell in a wave from his side part. He was stiff and his breathing was harsh, nervous.8964 copyright protection492PENANAns8dEOGBpV 維尼
"Something troubling you?" Conner spoke up and the man turned around slightly to lean against the wall as he made eye contact with the still red immortal.8964 copyright protection492PENANAmeiPXJwRg5 維尼
The human was quite attractive, nowhere near Conner's kind and their kind of beauty, but Conner could see how the man would attract others of his kind. His eyes were odd, heterochromatic with his right eye being a dark chocolate brown and his left being a pacific blue. He was frowning slightly but relaxed as he let out a slight chuckle.8964 copyright protection492PENANAODJcnVFF6R 維尼
"The country is at war, I believe I have reason to be troubled."8964 copyright protection492PENANAb1YnxKGylY 維尼
Conner laughed and the man quirked a brow, "Yes, but that's not what's bothering you."8964 copyright protection492PENANAwScCllkPgM 維尼
The man looked surprised, "You're American? What are you doing signing up in England?"8964 copyright protection492PENANA6uukBPrJ7M 維尼
Conner smiled, "Would you believe I took a wrong turn and signed up for the hell of it?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAQo8AQbjyvm 維尼
The man scanned him and looked into his eyes silently for a moment, "Looking at you, yeah, I'd believe it."8964 copyright protection492PENANA7cfAzLYD21 維尼
"You don't sound English either," Conner pointed out and the man smiled lightly.8964 copyright protection492PENANAG0COtlkgXh 維尼
"Ex-pat. Moved here with my parents when I was twelve. Been here for about eleven years now. How's it going stateside?"8964 copyright protection492PENANA8pqM7fXaZF 維尼
Conner let out a nervous bleat, "Hell if I know. What year is this?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAld7BeVfD8w 維尼
The man laughed like he thought it was a good joke. "It's 1939. What'd you do? Take a nasty hit to the head? Or maybe... stay out in the sun too long? Though I must confess, I've never seen a sunburn that bad, especially not in England."8964 copyright protection492PENANARmwbbUBG4m 維尼
Conner chuckled, "Well my head does hurt and so does my skin, so I guess either/and."8964 copyright protection492PENANA3iC5qawBPT 維尼
The line moved up and the man slid along the wall a few feet. Conner followed.8964 copyright protection492PENANAFBsG4qAuTT 維尼
"I'm Conner." Conner held out his hand and the man took it to shake.8964 copyright protection492PENANAeJ3Wl0MXHO 維尼
"Adam. You have quite the grip." Conner relaxed his hand and released him, a slight blush lighting up his cheeks, lighting up his inflamed skin once more.8964 copyright protection492PENANAve9rxGTwTY 維尼
Adam laughed and Conner blushed a deeper red, "Sorry."8964 copyright protection492PENANAc2Q2Jy6HHi 維尼
Adam smiled, "Nothing to apologize for, just didn't expect it."8964 copyright protection492PENANA1m7I08Q5eq 維尼
Conner relaxed and they made light talk as they slid through the line and the following checkpoint.8964 copyright protection492PENANA7xOmsnWs2D 維尼
They took their papers and headed back into the waiting room where an older man met them.8964 copyright protection492PENANAt3vU7rNs2F 維尼
"Adam, you know your mother is going to be furious with you, right?"8964 copyright protection492PENANACt1V0itgeU 維尼
Adam nodded at the greying man, "Yes, Uncle. But she has her hands full with the twins so I think I'm safe for the time being."8964 copyright protection492PENANAdAeoXXuM6k 維尼
The man trailed light brown eyes over Conner, "Who is this?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAayRdgj607I 維尼
Conner held his hand out, "Conner Durard, pleasure to meet you..."8964 copyright protection492PENANA1wO54hk4Li 維尼
The man nodded but didn't take his hand, "Charles Brandt, I'm Adam's uncle."8964 copyright protection492PENANAexpnwS6QEi 維尼
Conner nodded and Adam grinned, "Feel like a drink, either of you?"8964 copyright protection492PENANANT1lHMz54T 維尼
Charles shook his head and Conner checked his wallet, which was not a wallet but a leather drawstring coin purse that he had been using for three centuries. Charles looked at him oddly then at his nephew and shook his head and silently left the two of them.8964 copyright protection492PENANA6lNkSxuMUv 維尼
Conner looked up and Adam laughed, "You're a little odd but I like you. Come on, I'll pay."8964 copyright protection492PENANAOXrOjCcAB6 維尼
Conner grinned, "Fine with me, I'm pretty sure all that I have is foreign currency anyway."8964 copyright protection492PENANAzKHdCTcSmY 維尼
Specifically, Blackslate coins that were only used among the Allied Family. He'd have to make a trip to a market hole. The tricky part would be locating the entrance. Hopefully there was one nearby, he'd have to ask Sara.8964 copyright protection492PENANAAfuBZHuBnW 維尼
"So what do you do for work?" Adam asked as they made their way down streets to the nearest bar.8964 copyright protection492PENANAtvCX0NLjxf 維尼
"I'm nomadic, I've picked up skills to do just about anything, but none of it certified. All off the books sort of stuff." Conner revealed and Adam narrowed his eyes on him with a slight grin.8964 copyright protection492PENANAbSSVjlMgl1 維尼
"So I take it you travel a lot?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAnipnqb5xU1 維尼
"Yup. It's pretty much all I do."8964 copyright protection492PENANA8DXRqmWKTf 維尼
Adam chuckled, "You're meant for the military then. That was all my father could talk about when he came home from the last war. Much to my mother's discontent."8964 copyright protection492PENANAG7IXYz4etZ 維尼
Conner laughed and they were silent as they walked at an amiable pace to the pub Adam suggested.8964 copyright protection492PENANA972U74vSlT 維尼
They stopped about ten minutes later at a homey looking building that seemed left over from the sixteenth century. How it had managed to survive time, Conner had no clue. Buildings weren't exactly built to last then. A sign hung apathetically from a post over the door.8964 copyright protection492PENANA0QgPN2DqpV 維尼
The Bar of Bath8964 copyright protection492PENANABeteuSKou0 維尼
Was that a play on Chaucer? He was grateful it wasn't Shakespeare at least.8964 copyright protection492PENANA6HwhpDKw6f 維尼
It was quiet and the atmosphere was cozy as they walked inside, pleasant smells trailing in from the back where the kitchens resided. Conner's nose itched as a sudden sharp scent bit at him annoyingly. The barman looked up and narrowed his eyes on the glamoured immortal.8964 copyright protection492PENANArHjA2X57X2 維尼
"Is that you, Conner? You wouldn't happen to be travelling with Evangeline would you? I still owe her eight goats and I'd rather not have to attempt to convert that shit and account for inflation."8964 copyright protection492PENANAd6wWAkpY3l 維尼
Conner laughed at the expression on Adam's face.8964 copyright protection492PENANAnUodFhracV 維尼
"Evangeline isn't with me, no. I haven't see your ugly mug in... wow it's been a long time, Xander."8964 copyright protection492PENANAhUR7CRT6N7 維尼
The glamoured demon smirked then glanced at Adam.8964 copyright protection492PENANAQ4p75UTQLi 維尼
"Adam! How rude of me, what'll you have?"8964 copyright protection492PENANA2Qh7WViPBE 維尼
"Whatever's potent enough to help me make sense of this."8964 copyright protection492PENANAJUTYmLkTLp 維尼
Xander narrowed his eyes on Conner and slipped into infliniterian, the universal tongue of the homelands. The guttural somewhat lilting language drew wide eyes from Adam, oblivious to the actual meaning.8964 copyright protection492PENANAafcxUf1O8G 維尼
"Did you tell him about us? Your sister will not be happy with you."8964 copyright protection492PENANAC1fMAsMCvv 維尼
Conner shook his head and replied back in english.8964 copyright protection492PENANAgMs5mHzeU9 維尼
"No."8964 copyright protection492PENANAbEYzqLyni2 維尼
Xander nodded and handed Adam a strange concoction which the human took like a shot, grimacing at the taste.8964 copyright protection492PENANAaUDRRiiadO 維尼
Conner sat down beside Adam at the bar. He looked at Xander, seeing through his light glamour.8964 copyright protection492PENANAzmuK4nKW8r 維尼
There were a few types of glamour, the low energy overlay which Xander wore, a glamour that dulled down one's true image and masked it with another more mundane one, and Conner's, which actually transformed the bearer in some sense, dulling down natural instincts and abilities. The latter was more difficult to maintain, but could easily go unnoticed even by the most clear sighted of mortals.8964 copyright protection492PENANAoO5DRymrOu 維尼
Xander had probably scared some poor mortals shitless.8964 copyright protection492PENANAv0d3tz04Ib 維尼
Conner looked at Adam, "What do you see when you look at Xander?"8964 copyright protection492PENANA35LcyAi8We 維尼
Xander frowned at the other immortal.8964 copyright protection492PENANAmbfUathp7v 維尼
Adam, feeling the effects of the miscellaneous cocktail, blinked hazily for a moment then looked at Xander.8964 copyright protection492PENANA5NGe9wleX1 維尼
He blushed, "Uh..."8964 copyright protection492PENANAZjQbYgaSj4 維尼
Xander's frown deepened at Conner then looked at Adam with a sigh.8964 copyright protection492PENANAPSet70zqTX 維尼
"He's uh..." Adam blinked, at a loss for words. Conner laughed and patted him on the back.8964 copyright protection492PENANA0JQGHBk1eJ 維尼
"Nevermind. Just for a check, how drunk should I let you get?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAOeiNxyIKmu 維尼
"I'm already halfway there."8964 copyright protection492PENANAPYoDkQKzsd 維尼
Conner nodded and Xander placed down a shot that could knock out an elephant in front of the immortal which Adam looked like he was going to steal if he wasn't quick enough. Conner seized it quickly and downed it easily, holding it out to Xander to be refilled. He'd need several more to actually feel the effects in any way. As it was, he was glad it had a pleasant melon taste.8964 copyright protection492PENANAlH4CHFh4aT 維尼
Xander handed Adam a human sized dose of a shot which the mortal downed quickly. Xander grinned, "Conner, look's like someone wants to have a drinking contest."8964 copyright protection492PENANAwBs9kBduaD 維尼
Conner grinned, "We shouldn't."8964 copyright protection492PENANAPjLP6R6jgP 維尼
"Fuck yes, we should!" Adam cheered in a whisper-yell.8964 copyright protection492PENANA9ba1a1CP30 維尼
Adam blinked hazily for a few seconds, "What was in that thing you gave me? God, whatever it was, it was strong."8964 copyright protection492PENANAk42jHxPKH8 維尼
Conner frowned at Xander to which the demon slipped back into their native tongue to respond. 8964 copyright protection492PENANAa3XMi1C2KD 維尼
"A little witch's truth brew. Grade max twelve. He might be... a little loose for the next few hours."8964 copyright protection492PENANAmcDYmYou1R 維尼
Conner chuckled, "Just water it down for him for now on."8964 copyright protection492PENANAMwn0nb6QTR 維尼
Xander nodded and held his hands up in a surrendering motion.8964 copyright protection492PENANAIa1KhmjGA8 維尼
"I don't even know how he found my place. He must be somewhat clear-sighted. He never looks directly at me for the most part so he's been fine. As it is, he usually doesn't make eye contact til he's already drunk. He's a lot of fun, I'm just warning you."8964 copyright protection492PENANAPqD3ewbaSD 維尼
Conner nodded and held out his hand, which Xander handed over the whole bottle he had been pouring Conner's shots from.8964 copyright protection492PENANAn5mYL73Pxq 維尼
The immortal drank from it casually as the three of them made light chatter and Xander began to water down Adam's drinks right as the first ones began to really kick in. Conner's own drinks were nowhere near enough so he had the demon barkeep give him the harder stuff as Adam began to explain his whole life to the two immortals.8964 copyright protection492PENANAk7SKVbf0Cx 維尼
"My sister hates my guts- my older one I mean. I think it's been that way since she met me to be honest, I think I just rub her the wrong way. My younger one loves me- I think she idolizes me more than our little brother does and that's saying a lot considering how he used to try to go to school with me when he was a toddler. He was a smart little bugger too, wasn't even afraid of anybody else, would just stick to side streets and follow me to school. Scared the ever loving shit out of my mother, let me tell you. Karen, my younger sister, was pissed that every time she tried to come along Mother would catch her. Do you know how many times I had to cut class to bring his ass back home-too many times, let me tell you."8964 copyright protection492PENANA8rhScQ2G9E 維尼
"What about you two, you two have any siblings?"8964 copyright protection492PENANA7tilTAJ6ec 維尼
Conner and Xander burst into laughter.8964 copyright protection492PENANATBaVXDaCwy 維尼
Yeah, they had siblings. A ridiculous amount of them and at least hundreds of nieces and nephews- and that's only since they started to be able to procreate outside of the Family. But trying to explain that to mortals was awful. Technically, they didn't have blood the way that mortals did, nor the DNA that gave humans the codes that made them who they were and all that. No, it was simple magic that gave them life- make that raw power, specifically the Ancient's raw power.8964 copyright protection492PENANAh4P1qwddmj 維尼
So while they had an immense number of siblings, none of them were technically related outside of the fact that they came from the same beings. It was weird and trying to explain to mortals was a pain in the ass to say the least so for the most part they kept the information regulated to the actual members of the Family and their mates.8964 copyright protection492PENANA9dqXK0mCM7 維尼
"What? You two don't have siblings?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAyivaxbLNYK 維尼
"No," Xander chortled, wiping a tear from his eye, "Let's just say the Family is quite large."8964 copyright protection492PENANANUdbjRiCdZ 維尼
Adam didn't pick up on the capitalization, but no one expected him to.8964 copyright protection492PENANA3ff1axh35Q 維尼
"My closest brother's name is Garrett. We look practically identical except for the hair and eye color. Can't go anywhere without somebody mentioning it." Conner stated wistfully.8964 copyright protection492PENANAT1YIiKOL1J 維尼
"Evangeline is his on and off again girlfriend, so she's practically Family-"technically she was Family too, one of the daughters of Hecate, so in lay-terms, a cousin of sorts "-she's more like an older sister to me though, and she certainly nags like a concerned older sibling too. Garrett's in love with her, but the problem is that he's also in love with this beauty named Clara. Evangeline knows he is too, so she always steps aside when Garrett goes back to her. I mean, it must hurt to do that, but she keeps doing it so I guess she's just a sucker for pain at this point."8964 copyright protection492PENANAsxfxrtSB0F 維尼
Conner thought about his eldest sister, Juliet.8964 copyright protection492PENANAgujyJLuED8 維尼
She was the reigning monarch of Darla's side of the Family, and also her adopted father, Dante's as well. She was the eldest child of the Ancients, even out of all of the hundreds, if not thousands of them.8964 copyright protection492PENANAB4tb2Qxlc9 維尼
"Then there's Juliet," Conner regaled, "She my eldest sister, she puts up with everyone's shit in the Family and somehow makes it all better. I don't know how she does it, but she does it, sure enough. The Family would go to shit without it."8964 copyright protection492PENANAKzy6CDq173 維尼
Adam nodded and looked at Xander. The demon let out a drawn out sigh.8964 copyright protection492PENANAUOjpYVA4Ko 維尼
"Nope, I got nothing. I haven't even spoken to my family in over a decade."8964 copyright protection492PENANAA4XOKI53I2 維尼
Adam narrowed his eyes on the demon, blinking fast like he thought that would make his features easier to make out.8964 copyright protection492PENANAq6RyVqWhM5 維尼
"How old are you, Xander? I mean, I can never tell. I can barely tell what you look like most the time." Adam muttered and Conner clapped him on the shoulder.8964 copyright protection492PENANAgduPiZ6XXk 維尼
"Anyway..." Conner drolled, "What made you sign up to join the fight?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAlOfE2sQOh9 維尼
Adam looked at him blankly, "It's what my father would have wanted me to do, if he was still alive. Uncle will always take care of my mother, so I don't have to worry about what I'm leaving behind as long as the war is not brought too close to home."8964 copyright protection492PENANAg5oPZ6PJ4n 維尼
"I know you said you signed up for the hell of it, but what was the real reason?" Adam asked and Conner gave a small smile.8964 copyright protection492PENANA79Odmb0Di4 維尼
"Me? I've never been one to sit on the sidelines as much as my Family would want. They threatened me the last time I did something like this. 'Conner! We're not allowed to interfere! There's always a price to pay!' and things like that."8964 copyright protection492PENANAyAYrjQGCWD 維尼
Xander snorted, "You should listen to your siblings. There is always a price. Just because you haven't been the one to pay doesn't mean you inevitably won't."8964 copyright protection492PENANAPVZx1SnQrr 維尼
Conner frowned and Adam clapped him on the back this time, "I'd probably risk it to, if I were you. My father would always get on my about doing shit like that too when I was younger. Never did learn anything though. So if you're going down, so am I."8964 copyright protection492PENANAKF034VwdxH 維尼
Conner smirked, "At least it'll be fun."8964 copyright protection492PENANAPOACFtSbFq 維尼
"And there it is, folks!" Xander cried, "We have come across the real reason, he's looking for entertainment! What happened, got tired of whoring around, Conner?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAmZUlpuMLqK 維尼
Conner chuckled, "Nope, besides lots of sexual frustration makes people more willing to get down and dirty."8964 copyright protection492PENANAQNqs335m24 維尼
Adam and Xander shook their heads.8964 copyright protection492PENANAr26z07QI2Z 維尼
"I pity the men who get stuck with you, whore."8964 copyright protection492PENANAhw3Tnjv55d 維尼
Conner looked appalled, "Me, a whore? Never. Not without getting paid first at least."8964 copyright protection492PENANA6DE2WbVrzm 維尼
Adam looked aghast.8964 copyright protection492PENANA7LpUpddlYR 維尼
"Joking," Conner teased, "Besides, all I require is to be bought a drink first."8964 copyright protection492PENANAXT46QMpey8 維尼
He cocked his eyebrows at the human and Adam choked on his drink.8964 copyright protection492PENANA4C7jL3LCtj 維尼
Conner and Xander burst into laughter.8964 copyright protection492PENANAK1YTf9IgvW 維尼
"Don't worry," Xander chuckled, "Tonight's is on the house."8964 copyright protection492PENANAgDabrAFpdp 維尼
That didn't stop Xander from making an obscene gesture with his mouth and right hand for a moment, making the human blush like crazy under the gas lighting.8964 copyright protection492PENANAm6ULQLaLyA 維尼
Conner chuckled to himself, he liked how the human suddenly got shier around him.8964 copyright protection492PENANAybuFIbipBK 維尼
He knew it was not the time period for it, but hell if he was willing...8964 copyright protection492PENANAgiAfGTIyDw 維尼
Conner downed the rest of the bottle, pleased as he began to feel it hit him, warming his body and creating a pleasant buzz. It took a few minutes for the human to get back to looking him in the eye and Conner blinked when Adam suddenly looked wide-eyed. Conner looked at Xander but the demon wasn't paying attention, wiping down the bar.8964 copyright protection492PENANAD9Fl5SiUBT 維尼
"What?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAzFm4MX4pQx 維尼
Adam blinked, "You look different. Taller and everything."8964 copyright protection492PENANACAH9piSA1y 維尼
Shit.8964 copyright protection492PENANAqiTokNIlvZ 維尼
Shit. Shit. Shit.8964 copyright protection492PENANAIwS6YgW9Ia 維尼
He'd have to take off his glamour to replace it with a new one.8964 copyright protection492PENANAgenDh0mumG 維尼
He glanced at himself in the mirror behind the bar. His skin had lost the red tint, back to the color of milk while his hair was darkening and becoming redder by the moment. His eyes were flickering from a dark green to baby blue and he knew it was only a matter of minutes before it all evaporated away.8964 copyright protection492PENANA7sFUORsvnS 維尼
He looked at Xander and the demon looked up, frowning at him.8964 copyright protection492PENANA71hbgM16hT 維尼
Conner turned to Adam, "Do me a favor?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAuFi6V92GYJ 維尼
Adam swallowed and nodded, still scanning him, seemingly fascinated by his changing features and coloring.8964 copyright protection492PENANA8GDtrWE1FC 維尼
"Wh-what's happening?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAlAAguWsX1e 維尼
Conner swallowed, "How drunk are you, right now?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAUdQVGSvk84 維尼
"Oh, I'd say I'm quickly sobering."8964 copyright protection492PENANAk8l0Lhe3F7 維尼
He looked like it, too.8964 copyright protection492PENANATrbqn2iV2y 維尼
"Okay, Adam. I need you to uh, not freak out. Can you do that?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAgujplFVvka 維尼
"Conner, no." Xander interceded.8964 copyright protection492PENANA70VfTTL3FG 維尼
Conner glanced at him, "He's cool. I'll take him to Sara's tomorrow and we'll sort everything out. Wipe him if we have to, but for right now....I'm willing to take a leap of faith."8964 copyright protection492PENANAnQVW1va6Ey 維尼
Xander glared at him, "If you have to, kill him. Exposure is not a good thing in this current time period."8964 copyright protection492PENANA5oZGnPetSP 維尼
Conner nodded.8964 copyright protection492PENANA8P8Ve0NuId 維尼
He turned back to Adam, "Okay, I need you to close your eyes. Just staring at me while it happens is going to be hell on your eyes and your mind. I'll tell you when to open them."8964 copyright protection492PENANAfbdIqSwDnM 維尼
Adam's breathing was harsh and he was on the verge of a full blown panic attack. He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down, but Conner could tell it wasn't really working.8964 copyright protection492PENANAVXZoeiMMvV 維尼
He made short work of dropping the glamour, his head beginning to pulse in mild pain. His teeth clenched and he let out a small grunt of discomfort as his body transformed back into its true form.8964 copyright protection492PENANANSW53c4g9x 維尼
He was taller, closer to seven feet than he was to six. He blinked sharply as his eyes flickered back to their true shade, burning ever-so-slightly.8964 copyright protection492PENANA2giLcVjX8e 維尼
It was kind of relieving. He swore that he'd stick to the lesser level glamour, at least for the time being. He had his papers from the office so he knew roughly what he had looked like. Luckily, his actual facial features had only shifted minimally.8964 copyright protection492PENANAbbIZ70kAWR 維尼
He blew out a breath, "Okay, open your eyes."496Please respect copyright.PENANAXYU4AL0Psu
Adam opened them slowly, scanning him up from the floor.8964 copyright protection492PENANAmjYdDLFePa 維尼
He looked wide eyed at him, "Oh my god."8964 copyright protection492PENANA8V4iIiKqcL 維尼
"You vampires, look what you get yourselves into." Xander shook his head and Adam looked to him.8964 copyright protection492PENANAtkSgaIbwyN 維尼
"Are you- are you one too?" He stuttered and Xander snorted.8964 copyright protection492PENANAxd98EE6vBd 維尼
"No, I'm no vamp. But the less you know the better."8964 copyright protection492PENANAIDDXFOnwgr 維尼
Adam looked back at Conner, looking up to meet his eyes, "Oh, wow."8964 copyright protection492PENANA1HQQfq0jZu 維尼
Conner grinned nervously, swaying from side to side as his strength began to kick back into full gear. He began to tap the bar repetitively, his superior speed already making it uncomfortable for him to stay in one place for too long.8964 copyright protection492PENANA4YtA13XwpL 維尼
Adam kept blinking at him, as if he didn't believe his eyes.8964 copyright protection492PENANAXjaBa40iTz 維尼
Conner wouldn't if he were him.8964 copyright protection492PENANAGPggOV8Zan 維尼
It was all kind of unbelievable, but he had at least been born into it. It was probably stretching Adam's mind out to say the least.8964 copyright protection492PENANAL7O2EdiErv 維尼
"Uh... okay, I'm not freaking out. But uh, wow."8964 copyright protection492PENANAG8EFCMIJZS 維尼
Conner forced himself to nod slowly as his body grew back into his natural restlessness.8964 copyright protection492PENANAoNEHAZkFUC 維尼
He'd forgotten how annoying it was.8964 copyright protection492PENANAdFIY2zTCm1 維尼
Adam blinked, his panic attack dying down.8964 copyright protection492PENANA0ULUSFRzR9 維尼
"So you're uh..."8964 copyright protection492PENANArrhvAGD2pl 維尼
"A vampire, yes."8964 copyright protection492PENANANH3U345c73 維尼
"This is...uh..."8964 copyright protection492PENANAzZGeWjyvoy 維尼
"Unbelievable?" Conner supplied and Adam nodded.8964 copyright protection492PENANAyPGJnXO8bI 維尼
Xander handed the mortal a bottle of what looked like whiskey, thankfully mortal dosaged. Adam gripped the bottle tight and took a swig. He looked like he was trying to think of something to say but every time he seemed to be back to surprised and so tried to compensate by guzzling down the bottle.8964 copyright protection492PENANAKG2O0nP57S 維尼
"So you... drink blood?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAMYnmlyCpkV 維尼
Conner laughed, "I'm old enough that I can go a while without drinking if I want. At this point it's more of a habit of pleasure than actual need. I personally eat human food and drink. Not all of my kind do, but most of us find that human food stuffs taste good too."8964 copyright protection492PENANAzAV3gKalIi 維尼
Adam nodded and looked away until Conner's constant shifting drew his attention.8964 copyright protection492PENANApTasFGln6a 維尼
"What are you doing?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAetXFaEeqt0 維尼
Conner let out a bleat of anxious laughter, "I am... readjusting to my true form. I can run... um, really fast. I'm the fastest of all of us, it's kinda my thing."8964 copyright protection492PENANAMU24hrli6g 維尼
Adam nodded and took another swig.8964 copyright protection492PENANAU0EArd4cvg 維尼
"So you're not going to eat me?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAJizlF2TwZt 維尼
"No, not unless you want me to."8964 copyright protection492PENANANU8H4rfTDw 維尼
"Want you to? When has anyone ever wanted to be eaten?" Adam was aghast and looked back and forth between Xander and Conner, the former having gone back to the obscene gesturing to explain.8964 copyright protection492PENANAyrWzzFL7Fz 維尼
Conner and Adam blushed.8964 copyright protection492PENANACtqOSNJQqi 維尼
"Um, I'm not-" Adam began, "But it's okay if you are, I mean."8964 copyright protection492PENANAW3mzdy2vdG 維尼
Xander smirked at Conner from the sidelines while Adam swallowed and tried to do something or another, certain human behaviors were really beyond Conner's understanding.8964 copyright protection492PENANAmgOyZbZqjA 維尼
But he figured the human was trying to put a word to his sexuality, or something like that.8964 copyright protection492PENANAUMbPUrgGpR 維尼
Most immortals didn't see the point with that. You love who you love, you fuck who you fuck and all that jazz- why humans always wanted to put a word to something like that he had no clue.8964 copyright protection492PENANAXhQdJAvdUd 維尼
Conner explained his logic to the human and Adam nodded and downed the rest of the bottle in return.8964 copyright protection492PENANA4vP1qPtqSs 維尼
"That's a nice way of thinking. My grandparents were really religious, I think they would roll in their graves if I were gay though."8964 copyright protection492PENANAPFwjtVfb3I 維尼
"If they loved you it wouldn't matter. Family ain't your true family if they don't accept you for who you are. Gay, hetero, etc..." Conner stated and Xander handed the immortal a bottle of bloodwine from the small fridge under the bar.8964 copyright protection492PENANAsbuxRLYHMg 維尼
This particular bottle was made from a... young woman, somewhere around twenty when it was bottled. The wine part was older, around a century.8964 copyright protection492PENANAUd2wRFynFV 維尼
Adam nodded, "Just wondering, but what do other races think of humans?"8964 copyright protection492PENANA55uuaW2ZMl 維尼
Xander laughed, "Let's just say we find mortals amusing. Outside of that it varies upon the individual."8964 copyright protection492PENANA69QJAB93F4 維尼
Adam's brows furrowed.8964 copyright protection492PENANAtK2O7YAvLS 維尼
Conner clapped him on the back lightly, careful to not be to rough, "Personally, I think humans are fun. Interesting to look at and talk to. Your lives are so much simpler, yet so much more fulfilling than most of the immortals I've met. There so brief, and you all put so much meaning into them. You create purpose for yourselves and I envy that. Immortals simply look for ways to amuse themselves. We have nothing really driving us forward. Humans have the desire to better themselves- witches do too, but even they feel apathy keenly like one of us does occasionally. Humans, while they feel it sometimes, somehow manage to push through and do something with the short times they are given to live."8964 copyright protection492PENANAeT4foYJt86 維尼
Adam looked surprised at his words, "You sound like you envy us."8964 copyright protection492PENANAPccO9bUyHf 維尼
Xander sighed, "Immortals are not the best to look to when it comes to finding meaning in life. Perhaps part of that comes from finding all meaning simple, maybe not easy to explain, but easy to comprehend."8964 copyright protection492PENANAxyt6KYY3mg 維尼
Conner leaned back on the bar stool, "And don't you all have a concept of soul mates? Most immortals don't. Some types do, but most of us choose our mates if we have any at all. Most of the time it sets us up for inevitable pain. Family members who are full immortal outlast everyone they know who isn't up to par vitality wise."8964 copyright protection492PENANAcmydHB3pJB 維尼
Adam quirked a brow, "So neither of you have soulmarks? That sounds awful."8964 copyright protection492PENANAegoay4h7Rg 維尼
Conner shook his head with a teasing grin, but his tone was melancholy.8964 copyright protection492PENANA3HPNRbsn5x 維尼
"You make the best of it." He looked back at Adam, "So what are your soulmarks? How does that all work?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAqQ82OXWNOI 維尼
Adam shrugged, "Hell if I know. Mine isn't even a word- it's a symbol of some sort. Got weird looks as a kid because of it."8964 copyright protection492PENANAAd7vQsMGEm 維尼
Conner smirked, "I'll show you my fangs if you show it to me."8964 copyright protection492PENANAiJsQuETtWX 維尼
Adam grinned back in response, "What are they? Retractable?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAh0x9n9VuwK 維尼
Conner took a sip of his drink, "You'll just have to wait."8964 copyright protection492PENANADHexh8awr1 維尼
Adam slid off the stool and promptly fell on his ass on the wooden plank floors.8964 copyright protection492PENANA7thZ8ct08K 維尼
"Damn," He muttered, "Guess I drank more than I should've."8964 copyright protection492PENANA9WSO6bDXdy 維尼
Conner bent down and lifted him off the floor like one would do a glass doll.8964 copyright protection492PENANAd1RPuJzsGC 維尼
Adam narrowed his eyes on the immortal, "That didn't feel patronizing. No, not at all."8964 copyright protection492PENANAHD6mSg97A6 維尼
Conner grinned, "Chin up, buttercup. I'll help you home."8964 copyright protection492PENANADKwlGYNX8b 維尼
He winked just to make Adam blush again and choked on his drink, his lips stained a bloody red.8964 copyright protection492PENANAPegFtEzkpI 維尼
He licked his lips and waited for Adam to make the next move, but the mortal was slow on the uptake appearing fascinated by his small display. Conner clicked his tongue to knock him out of it.8964 copyright protection492PENANAGTH27RTtoz 維尼
"I know I'm a knockout and all, but..."8964 copyright protection492PENANAm29eUZ77RY 維尼
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Adam unbuttoned his shirt and took off the button up to reveal a well-built upper body and a white wifebeater undershirt. Conner could faintly spot a gold symbol emblazoned into his chest, about an inch above his heart. He released his bottle back onto the bar and needled the undershirt down enough to decipher it.8964 copyright protection492PENANAnHxUjhvbak 維尼
Xander's breath caught.8964 copyright protection492PENANAxbZqPSKs3Y 維尼
"Is that?" The demon began and Conner nodded.8964 copyright protection492PENANAjxc0VTKKip 維尼
"It's how we originally wrote our names, quite a while before your own creation, Xander." The vampire remarked, his eyes slightly confused to the viewer while unrest stirred within his mind.8964 copyright protection492PENANAnpOOs1mqMZ 維尼
He knew that name, because it was most certainly his name. It was the sigil that he had once given his mortal lovers to invoke him with in his earlier years.8964 copyright protection492PENANAzjGRy2EbxE 維尼
"So..." The mortal drawled, "Do you know whose name this is then?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAqZUwZNxwnl 維尼
"Uh... how about those fangs now, huh?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAXNKl2latir 維尼
The human rolled his eyes with enough attitude to cut stone.8964 copyright protection492PENANARJkS1jNG8O 維尼
"Sure, why not?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAxqCXIVy7UN 維尼
Conner grinned and revealed his canines to the human, "Watch carefully."8964 copyright protection492PENANAIm9nYli05q 維尼
Adam nodded and suddenly the teeth appeared to sharpen into two slightly longer canines that he knew were deadly just by looking at them.8964 copyright protection492PENANAH9Ef4FDJ8J 維尼
"That's.... Wow."8964 copyright protection492PENANAssKm65381Z 維尼
Conner chuckled, trying to push off his own oncoming anxiety attack. Adam failed to notice the vampire's discomfort but Xander did not.8964 copyright protection492PENANAt2MUo0Jtq1 維尼
"You know who his soulmarks belong to?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAVzXt0u6OHb 維尼
Conner sighed, "Yes."8964 copyright protection492PENANAcJll1ENkvD 維尼
Xander let out a growl, "Well are you going to keep us waiting?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAbMukfYHUkU 維尼
His switch to english sounded almost as guttural as their native tongue but the mortal beside them noticed all the same- like Xander had well wanted him to.8964 copyright protection492PENANAQftccTfSFN 維尼
Adam looked between the two of them and rolled his eyes and tried to stand up, nearly falling on his ass yet again.8964 copyright protection492PENANAHKJjh1b9Yb 維尼
Conner narrowed his eyes on Xander, "Mine, are you happy demon?"8964 copyright protection492PENANA7T2XIrZjIv 維尼
Xander looked taken aback and glanced at the stumbling human whose grip was digging into his precious antique bar. His eyes narrowed at the infringement but relaxed again when the words resounded through his mind.8964 copyright protection492PENANAF31TMAVKIt 維尼
"What are you going to do?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAf3Z72wUJnL 維尼
"What do you think? I'm getting him home and then I'll... I'll.... Hell, I don't know. I'll do something. He isn't even attracted to men!"8964 copyright protection492PENANA6EX9fkWLue 維尼
Adam was looking in between the two immortals, sighing when he went on ignored.8964 copyright protection492PENANAs8NkAG0nWK 維尼
Xander snorted, "Did you see the way he was checking you out, let me assure you, he most certainly is attracted to men. Or at the very least you."8964 copyright protection492PENANAV3vBssO9ZY 維尼
The comment was made along with a muttering under his breath of vampires and their irritating looks.8964 copyright protection492PENANAqOryTYUrW8 維尼
Well, someone was jealous.8964 copyright protection492PENANA3vohJtnsBh 維尼
Adam tried to step away from the bar but stumbled back and Conner instinctively steadied the human lightly (okay, maybe a bit too hard).8964 copyright protection492PENANA6M6MgsGQRE 維尼
"Damn, there's that grip again."8964 copyright protection492PENANAfCO49Z7R5g 維尼
Conner blushed, "Sorry."8964 copyright protection492PENANAr3yx7gErNd 維尼
Adam frowned, "We've already been through this."8964 copyright protection492PENANAOHL9cNINlL 維尼
Conner nodded and dropped a few of the Blackslate coins on the bar, which Xander quickly seized up with a flourish, calling out to the vampire as he escorted the human out of the pub, which was most certainly in a hole in the wall.8964 copyright protection492PENANApQQnoAlSuR 維尼
"Figure your shit out, Conner! Before it bites you in the-"8964 copyright protection492PENANASzRiF7FGI4 維尼
The door to the pub slammed shut and they walked into the street without looking back.8964 copyright protection492PENANAdsni3p7aB6 維尼
The roads were deserted, time having passed quicker than either of them could have guessed. Conner expected it- immortal hubs always had a way with fucking with time.8964 copyright protection492PENANAdK4sdXQV33 維尼
Adam was leaning on him for support, but it was awkward given the severe height difference. Conner sighed and they hobbled down the streets, Adam telling him the directions to the flat where he lived alone, having moved out of his family home fairly recently.8964 copyright protection492PENANAOSxGsBxptE 維尼
He pointed out certain landmarks along the way, talking about his own childhood as he went. Conner listened quietly, restless as hell. All he wanted was a good run, but he would not be getting that anytime soon. Well, at least not soon enough anyway.8964 copyright protection492PENANAkDBBphE6ty 維尼
He had a little too much energy to burn, at this point he could probably circumvent this earth a couple times before it fully burned off. He sighed once more.8964 copyright protection492PENANA9r9ZsPC5E7 維尼
"Am I boring you?" Adam asked and Conner sent him a wry grin.8964 copyright protection492PENANARrZkWLDpxC 維尼
"Nope. Just restless. I've never really been able to stick to a human pace when it comes to walking in my true body. Though I'm not one for walking in general."8964 copyright protection492PENANAfaKsxxDvKf 維尼
Adam laughed, "What? Do you run everywhere you go?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAFRlmF9XvVG 維尼
Conner nodded, "Kinda have to. Have to burn off the energy somehow. It's why I was wearing that glamour. It's one of the only ways I can actually relax."8964 copyright protection492PENANAR14RTkINdA 維尼
Adam stared at him for a moment, "So you can't relax in your true form? That must suck."8964 copyright protection492PENANA0yEiz8Q4iZ 維尼
Conner shrugged, "Trade-offs. I've been told that the excess energy makes me fun in bed."8964 copyright protection492PENANAVROjgU2Va7 維尼
He muttered the rest musingly, "Though it's a little difficult with my mortal lovers. When I was young, I managed to hurt one of them accidently. She forgave me, but uh... it made an impact on me."8964 copyright protection492PENANA536YFIWo7x 維尼
Adam nodded, "So why don't I give you my address and you speed us over?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAsLdIyXeLxO 維尼
Conner's eyes went wide with excitement, "That sounds fun. I'll still be going pretty slow, but it would be better than this at least. You might even have a little fun too."8964 copyright protection492PENANA6eMiEHGjst 維尼
Adam rolled his eyes, "I bet."8964 copyright protection492PENANAkDpX8tZQDm 維尼
Conner moved in front of him and picked him up by his legs and slung him onto his back, Adam's hands falling to wrap around his neck.8964 copyright protection492PENANAWGzr2j5UZS 維尼
"This is uh... wow you're tall. How tall are you? What? Seven feet?8964 copyright protection492PENANAliU4todPs6 維尼
Conner laughed, "I'm actually average sized for the Family. Juliet is my height and she wears heels too. She scares the hell out of mortals when she comes out without a glamour. To be honest, I think she does it to get a kick out of it. She's a little sadistic, but hey, we all have our vices."8964 copyright protection492PENANANqUmbJnP0j 維尼
"Close your eyes." Conner ordered and Adam obeyed.8964 copyright protection492PENANAVKHgtUWkxh 維尼
Conner wrapped his hands around the man's legs to keep them secure and then took off. He arrived within a few seconds at the flat building, having got lost briefly without Adam's continuing instructions.8964 copyright protection492PENANAOTWKN5dLjy 維尼
"Okay, open your eyes."8964 copyright protection492PENANAZ0GCPFsRTs 維尼
Adam opened them and Conner carefully dropped the mortal to his feet, steadying him when he stumbled. Pure shock was apparent in his face.8964 copyright protection492PENANABf9Ne9w5uR 維尼
"Damn, you are fast." He blinked, "Didn't you say you would go slower?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAgDll7GDDBA 維尼
Conner rubbed the back of his neck, "I uh, did."8964 copyright protection492PENANAg2T8OXSqaK 維尼
Adam turned his wide eyes on the vampire, "How fast are you exactly?"8964 copyright protection492PENANA0isUL1ca2P 維尼
Conner shrugged, "I've circumvented worlds a few times to take the edge off. I can usually do that within ten minutes."8964 copyright protection492PENANAUVKO0DSDK1 維尼
Adam merely blinked for a few stunned moments.8964 copyright protection492PENANAFSnfRtP56w 維尼
"Aren't you going in? You'll probably need to sleep off your drinks."8964 copyright protection492PENANAgTGSwtHOB5 維尼
Adam nodded, "You want to come up? I probably won't go to sleep in a while. I think you managed to wake me up pretty well."8964 copyright protection492PENANAjBDxTw9TOg 維尼
Conner shrugged, "Sure. Sara's probably asleep now anyway."8964 copyright protection492PENANAwZTI98eAft 維尼
He followed the human up the steps of the building then up two floors to the third floor door where his flat took up house. Adam unlocked it and entered, tossing his recruitment papers and new uniform on the dining table.8964 copyright protection492PENANAgXyySvS5dk 維尼
It was a large open space cordoned off by bookcases into separate rooms. The floors were dark hardwoods that matched the beams that held the ceiling in place, covered in some places by a few rugs. There was a small kitchen next to the small dining area for four people, leading into a cozy looking living area, small but nice with a small table with an open book on top, its pages bookmarked with dog eared folds. A small radio was on the third shelf of the bookcase in front of the couch, which Adam turned on as he passed the room absently.8964 copyright protection492PENANAAIsnfLsObD 維尼
A soothing jazz ballad rocked through the air easily.8964 copyright protection492PENANAOoLJckDLy0 維尼
Adam had thrown his button up on the wooden chair in the bedroom area, tossing the things in his wallet on the small bedside table before he came back out and waved Conner further into the flat.8964 copyright protection492PENANAnSIEaDWHrF 維尼
"So... what do you do to occupy time?" Conner asked and Adam shrugged.8964 copyright protection492PENANAAFOkDiGLzA 維尼
"I usually read or sketch a bit after work. What do you do?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAPmQlSNMphR 維尼
Conner shrugged in return, "Run, read, listen to music, go out and get lucky if I want. I get bored easily so I look for things to occupy my eternal existence with, its why I was signed up to fight. Or really how, because I uh, just stumbled into the recruitment office looking for something to do."8964 copyright protection492PENANAwtFMR5XtCM 維尼
Adam gave him a dry look, "That seems reasonable."8964 copyright protection492PENANAkzkAthSvKq 維尼
Conner brightened, "I knew you'd understand."8964 copyright protection492PENANAFSlVKuHs8T 維尼
Conner dropped his smile, "Do you have any food?"8964 copyright protection492PENANA9PuF21AIfK 維尼
His stomach growled to punctuate his hunger and Adam laughed.8964 copyright protection492PENANAB8nx81pXf8 維尼
"Check the cabinet."8964 copyright protection492PENANAwYAKh2PrTD 維尼
Conner zoomed over to the cabinet and began his inspection which was brief to say the least. He pulled back with a pout.8964 copyright protection492PENANAJpndtWXIkV 維尼
He held out a small box, "Instant pudding? Is that all you eat because there is an inexcusable amount of it."8964 copyright protection492PENANAYIqeRM3DO2 維尼
Adam laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck.8964 copyright protection492PENANA47MN5HnQxx 維尼
"Well..." Conner trailed, "I'm going to go look for a rapist to snack on because let's be honest, I don't have the patience right now to find something that's open, let alone cook something myself. And unless you're volunteering..."8964 copyright protection492PENANAUxDNC7slZH 維尼
Adam shook his head, "I'm not."8964 copyright protection492PENANAaPMulFi242 維尼
Conner grinned, "Are you sure? I've been told my bite is absolutely orgasmic."8964 copyright protection492PENANAB2LUjKrjWl 維尼
Adam blushed and Conner's grin deepened.8964 copyright protection492PENANA38DeGHqHAv 維尼
Adam shook his head and Conner flitted away, accidently slamming the door a little too loudly. Adam for his part propelled himself onto the sofa and picked up the book to read while he waited for the vampire's return.8964 copyright protection492PENANAESelOoWbQt 維尼
Conner was a little annoyed.8964 copyright protection492PENANAJFmARliF69 維尼
The rapist he had managed to track down mid-crime was screaming like a banshee. What does Garrett do to put a stop to this shit?8964 copyright protection492PENANAj4WbZcGaia 維尼
Oh yeah.8964 copyright protection492PENANALCIRZVhj1I 維尼
Conner snapped the bulky man's neck and flitted away a few miles into another deserted alley to feed.8964 copyright protection492PENANAVDSTVVBq9K 維尼
Frankly, he was not in the mood to deal with the mess he made when he ripped into the dead man's throat, but he would certainly have to. He had forgotten how being out of practice could make things messy. Though to be honest, he only kept it clean when he wanted his prey to survive.8964 copyright protection492PENANAcohTgL3FJN 維尼
The man's blood tasted like watered down whiskey- probably a regular drunk then.8964 copyright protection492PENANAEYzq3AOnEe 維尼
The woman he had left behind in the alley was still there when he got back, tears streaming down her face and he wondered why no one had come out to help her. He looked at his surroundings and realization hit him.8964 copyright protection492PENANAVOJ5fhiL16 維尼
Shit like this probably happened often in this neighborhood.8964 copyright protection492PENANArmNiFR2CiF 維尼
Conner had tossed the rapist's body in a dumpster and lit it on fire in the alley where he had fed and he could still hear it in the distance even though humans would most certainly not hear it.8964 copyright protection492PENANAQB1inibsz2 維尼
The woman screamed when she saw him.8964 copyright protection492PENANAv1kEvHjbJw 維尼
"What? Do I have something on my face?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAgBjTvAOWxO 維尼
He ran a hand over his face and quickly realized how he might have turned the woman hysterical. Blood was drying on his chin and jaw.8964 copyright protection492PENANAuAH6GLZQiW 維尼
He wiped it with his sleeve.8964 copyright protection492PENANA00r38x6Hb3 維尼
"Hey, um Miss... Uh, that man's gone." His words didn't calm her and so he settled for knocking her out with a soft pinch. He found her identification and made short work of delivering her back to her doorstep, discomfort ricocheting through him in waves.8964 copyright protection492PENANAKmiaiqT9V0 維尼
He never did figure out how to deal with people in hysterics.8964 copyright protection492PENANADaV4Tpzsxd 維尼
Humans were strange and he could never figure out what caused that shit or what could make them come down from it all.8964 copyright protection492PENANAK0UTOMLkPV 維尼
The woman would probably remember it all- but humans were quick to deny anything out of the ordinary and she'd be assumed crazed if she talked about him.8964 copyright protection492PENANA0paFOUakMt 維尼
Ten minutes later found him back in the doorway to Adam's flat, opening the doorway shyly, before sliding the rest of the way in.8964 copyright protection492PENANAvsWftGI2rl 維尼
Adam didn't even look up from his book as he entered, "You good now?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAah0F2Xe6hg 維尼
Conner bent over the kitchen sink and washed his face of the blood, scrubbing till his skin was an irritated pink that quickly faded back to its natural shade. He pulled off his bloody shirt and used it to pat dry his face, which felt scruffy from a bit of a beard coming in.8964 copyright protection492PENANAwLHau5D56X 維尼
He should shave, but did he want to? Nope.8964 copyright protection492PENANAgOjZZY1SH5 維尼
He walked back over to Adam, standing over the human without a sound for a minute until Adam looked up and jumped a bit in surprise.8964 copyright protection492PENANAzZp0cKzt1p 維尼
The human blushed as he scanned him and Conner grinned, "I-"8964 copyright protection492PENANAxP9KJTvlaP 維尼
"Do you need a shirt?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAcxApfK82LS 維尼
Conner rolled his eyes, "Yes bu-"8964 copyright protection492PENANAfGv2gX5Uy1 維尼
Adam rolled off the couch and onto his feet and flitted away into the bedroom area to a set of drawers and tossed the immortal a stretchy wifebeater.8964 copyright protection492PENANAlzMbwsKQ7b 維尼
The vampire sighed, rolled his eyes again, but put it on nonetheless.8964 copyright protection492PENANAEEAxTMFIwL 維尼
Adam came out just as Conner was attempting to stretch it past his belly button (unsuccessfully.). Adam looked him over and burst into laughter at the annoyed look on the vampire's face.8964 copyright protection492PENANAKMBTzt4rPN 維尼
Conner groaned and pulled it off, "I'll just scrub my shirt in the sink, then. At least it'll fit even if it's wet. And blood red. But whatever. Sara can probably summon me up some clothing tomorrow."8964 copyright protection492PENANA5sS6mclLry 維尼
Adam wiped a tear from his eye, "Sorry, I shouldn't have laughed."496Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0048K5ez4
Conner waved him off, "Feel free to laugh your ass off. I'm fairly entertaining."8964 copyright protection492PENANAbnDqF01oCX 維尼
Adam rolled his eyes and went back to reading while Conner scrubbed at his shirt in the sink with soap. He was grateful that it was a witch-made textile so it wouldn't rip if he was too harsh in his scrubbing.8964 copyright protection492PENANAXp23lJm4Aa 維尼
After twenty minutes Conner let out a cry of victory and Adam looked up to see the vampire glowing with his victory and wearing a very much see-through white t-shirt stained slightly pink around the collar.8964 copyright protection492PENANAE9WVo9Y25o 維尼
"How does that even still manage to fit you after you uh- well you know."8964 copyright protection492PENANAo1q4E7e4pg 維尼
Conner grinned, "Witch-textiles, they shift to fit the wearer. They can even shift with shapeshifters. Pretty convenient if you ask me."8964 copyright protection492PENANAFibhDX8rnU 維尼
The radio fritzed a bit and a new song came on- this time a classical string ballad.8964 copyright protection492PENANAqz5dfKOLi1 維尼
Conner plopped himself on the floor in front of the couch, his long legs crossed over one another at the knee as he leaned back on his elbows. Adam rolled his eyes.8964 copyright protection492PENANAdTbP7op0xT 維尼
"Pick a book or something, don't just stare."8964 copyright protection492PENANALBzUlEalPz 維尼
"But you're so nice to stare at!" Conner whined and Adam blushed.8964 copyright protection492PENANAAK1lFjxqac 維尼
Conner smirked and placed his right hand over his forehead and did his best impression of Rose from Titanic, "Paint me like one of your french girls!"8964 copyright protection492PENANAF5Q1qFKSWi 維尼
Adam quirked a brow at him silently and Conner groaned.8964 copyright protection492PENANA4iyDdfnQ89 維尼
"Fine. Sketch me like one of your french girls!"8964 copyright protection492PENANAhh8eJE6ZNd 維尼
Adam quirked his brow again, this time in confusion.8964 copyright protection492PENANAfx36Ttfcmc 維尼
"Is that a reference?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAmOCQwMQenQ 維尼
"Is that a reference? Only to an overplayed three-hour long cinematic tragedy!" Conner cried and then backed up suddenly, "Oh yeah, that doesn't come out till what? The nineties? Hell if I know. My bad. Sorry."8964 copyright protection492PENANAzhjPIpHuHL 維尼
Adam smiled, almost smirkingly as he wrapped his arm to cushion his head as he laid out on the couch. Conner groaned and Adam sighed.8964 copyright protection492PENANAjkeOQzzxlo 維尼
"Why don't you tell me about your lovers. I mean, you talked about one of them a while ago."8964 copyright protection492PENANAdp9yNyHb01 維尼
Conner leaned back and looked up at the ceiling.8964 copyright protection492PENANAe5HQIY9cvv 維尼
"I guess, I mean most of them are either immortal or long since dead. Well, some of them have gone to ground." He sighed, "Do you want to hear about the men or the women?"8964 copyright protection492PENANAthK3j4QX7q 維尼
"Either."8964 copyright protection492PENANApNgJJ64tw9 維尼
Conner blew out a breath, "Well, there was Mary and her twin brother Michael. Both of them were sleeping with me just at different times without the other one noticing. That was a weird time."8964 copyright protection492PENANAp3VlSsfExt 維尼
He laughed, "They came from a witch bloodline and it was odd because Michael could use his abilities as well as his sister. It's odd because male witch heirs tend to be just carriers for the power of their bloodline."8964 copyright protection492PENANAwyDUFGJxsr 維尼
Conner looked up at the ceiling and fell flat on his back with his hands cushioning his head for support.8964 copyright protection492PENANAguqxvDxSPf 維尼
"Mary was beautiful in a approachable way. Her brother was stone cold with outsiders but took to liking me fairly quickly. I've always wondered why, but it's not like he could answer me now- he was hung during a witch trial with Mary. I had luckily managed to move their family, and their line is still going strong now I believe. Mary's granddaughter actually managed to make it to her transition and beyond that- she managed to survive."8964 copyright protection492PENANArHEu1Hua4S 維尼
He briefly looked at Adam, "Half of us don't survive our transitions. And that's true for almost all of the Family except for witches, who for the most part never manage to even reach their transition."8964 copyright protection492PENANAOqOm1zbFFi 維尼
"I had a daughter." He stated, a wave of depression sweeping over him as he continued to speak, "She was everything to me- and that was quite rare for us immortals. Most of us raise our children as a community and not a single family unit. But her mother, a witch, convinced me to and, well, it was probably the best thing I've ever done."8964 copyright protection492PENANA9lNTqJKJVi 維尼
Adam had released his book to look over at the immortal, silent as he allowed the vampire to continue.8964 copyright protection492PENANAFNvEqgPyiA 維尼
Conner smiled softly, "Her name was Melody. She was beautiful and had her mother's eyes- a pretty soft lavender shade that sparkled when she was excited. She could make anyone happy just by smiling at them. She was so young, so fucking nice- she should've made it through it. She had been healthy- she had never had trouble when it came to her body, her health, or hell, any of the training we had all been put through when we were raised."8964 copyright protection492PENANA4nzeKxnXKQ 維尼
His smiled turned bitter, "She should have made it through. She should have made it through."8964 copyright protection492PENANAp6DuplsqRx 維尼
His repetition seemed to make his words sound even more disbelieving, even more pained as Adam listened to him.8964 copyright protection492PENANAn73PotFVmx 維尼
Conner went silent for a moment, dropping the bitter grin for a quiet disbelief that still struck him thousands of years after the fact.8964 copyright protection492PENANAvDia4PyHSY 維尼
He turned to look over at the human who answered his stare with a look of sympathy.8964 copyright protection492PENANAh5kV7BxHbp 維尼
But what could he know of the pain of losing a child. He might have lost his father from what he told Conner today- but that was not the same thing.8964 copyright protection492PENANAdbIyGtzEUW 維尼
They say the worst thing a parent can go through is the death of a child before their own inevitable death.8964 copyright protection492PENANA4XGAkGkdba 維尼
Death would not return him to his daughter.8964 copyright protection492PENANAwyTANGzAAO 維尼
Immortality was a curse- one he was subject to till the end of existence.8964 copyright protection492PENANABgvhCpuXuk 維尼
As he looked at the mortal laid out on the couch he appeared to almost become near decisive. But his mind was not certain- as much as he wanted it to be8964 copyright protection492PENANAd1kebPkyUM 維尼
The mortal was mated to him and Conner was certain that if he wasn't careful he'd grow too attached to this mortal for his own good. He was not a sucker for pain like Evangeline was- but knowing himself, he could see himself slipping into this relationship, sinking deeper and deeper till he would certainly not be able to climb out of that hole.8964 copyright protection492PENANAGjb0AN6cb8 維尼
It hadn't ever happened that badly before, but Conner could feel that this time would be different.8964 copyright protection492PENANA4TzyTGzrMH 維尼
He was not looking forward to the end that awaited him when the mortal reached his inevitable own.8964 copyright protection492PENANAn6KQI664Ek 維尼
Conner sighed.8964 copyright protection492PENANAdWSLWSVBgu 維尼
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